Characterization ofCampylobacter jejuni lipopolysaccharide

Lipopolysaccharides were isolated from dehydratedCampylobacter jejuni by combination of the phenol-chloroform-petroleum ether and phenol-water extraction techniques. Biochemical characterizations of lipopolysaccharide were performed on the two fractions of highest purity. Neutral sugar analyses detected galactose, glucose, trace amounts of mannose, and an unidentified deoxy-hexose. The primary amino sugars were galactosamine, glucosamine, and glucosamine-phosphate. Chemical analyses of other lipopolysaccharide components included phosphate, 3-deoxy-d-manno-octulosonic acid (KDO), and fatty acids. The predominant fatty acids were 3-hydroxytetradecanoic and hexadecanoic acids with lesser amounts of tetradecanoic acid. 3-Hydroxytetradecanoic acids were bound to lipid A by both amide and ester linkages.